Felt cleaner



W. SHEAHAN Feb, 1Q, 1925.

FELT CLEANER Filed Dec. 28, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 10, 1925,

W. SHEAHAN FELT CLEANER Filed Dec. 28, 192;

4 Sheeatswneetl 2 .lllililli il.

Feb, 10, 1925. 1,526,094

w. SHEAHAN FEMPA CLEANER Filed Dep. 28. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 W. SHEAHAN Feb, 10, 1925.

FELT CLEANER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

patented Wella 1 1925.

1.52am. PATENT OFFICE.

titffildtt SHEAHAN, OF )POWELL RIVER. BRITISH COLUMBIA. CANADA.; LAMAR llltltllil, ADMINSTRATQR-OF SAID WILLIAM SHEAHAN, DECEASED, ASSIGNOR TQ ll't-SEPH WV. SHEAHN AND EDWARD K. SHEAHAN, BOTH OF LOS ANGELES, CALI- lliltftlt't, MARIE B. TOOZE AND LUISE IM.` SHEAHA,BOTH 0F EUGENE, OREGON.

FELT CLEANER.

Application filed Becember 28, 1922. Serial o. 609,504.

To oZ-ffrihom. it may concern:

iis it known that I, WILLIAM SHEAHAN, a citizen ot the 7United States, and a resident of Powell liver, Province of British Columbia. Dominion ot' Canada, have inventeda new and useful improvement in Felt Cleaners, ot which the following is a specication.

My invention has for its broad purpose the provision of eiiicient means for cleanmg a travelling' belt of fabric. The s ecic purlili goose oit my invention is to provide such cleaning means adapted for cleaning the endless web of felt ot a paper making machine. Said felt carries a sheet of wet paper; still in the stage ont formation and the excess water, which is 'taken up by the telt, conconsiderablo foreign matter' which tends to embed itself in the web and thus clon; and caire 'the telt. Flihis renders the feit unfit 'for use while in that condition, hence requires the shutting down of themachine to permit the removal of the same.

j lf'he vforeign matter tends to become tightly inbeddedin the felt and thus considerable e must be empioyed to remove the same. ...heretofore the felt was removed from the ahime and, washed lto remove this em- .aided materialvwhich necessitated the shut down of the machide, and this in turn materially decreased the output thereof.

tho specific objectof my. invention, therem is to provde'mechanism which will natively' clean the felt cloth while it is 14M f functioning in the paper machine, and

whichwill clean said felt without interior with its 'correct operation, and which l not necessitate a substantial increase in to move the cloth. t further object is to .provide cleaning means which consist of vboth pressure and suction operatirui devices and the apertures through which said forces act; are relatively narrow and thus impose only a slight resist-l ance to the movement ci 'the telt.; said devices moving; 'in synchronisrn with each 5h cleaning ot the vfelt with the minimum l resistance to movement thereof.

` These and other objectsare` shown in the acoempfing/ingv drawings; in which:

` Fig. 1 is a `dia,9;raininatie representation oit the portion of the paper machine in which feite are used;

ther across the telt thereby to etiect a thor# Fig. i is an enlarged detail view of the pressure half of my device;

F 1g. 5 1s a composite sectionaly vlew taken on the lines 5-5 of Figs, 3 and 4 and is slightly enlarged and shows the relative positions of the pressure and suction` members to each other;

F ig'. 6 is a View taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4: and shows a detail of construction;

Fig. 7 isan enlarged side elevation taken on-the direction of the arrow 7 in Fig. 2;

F ig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view taken in the direction of'arrow 8 iny Fig. 2 of the same end shown in Fig. 7 and has parts broken away to show details of construction;

Fig. 9 is an elevation partially diagrammatic and shows a detail of construction:

Fig'. 10 is a detail View partly in section showing the governor arm and governor Weight;

Fig'. 11 is a diagram showingf the position of the nozzles in relation to cach other;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation ot a slight variation of a suction device embodying my invention and shows the weband supporting members in section;

Fig. 13 is a section taken on the line 13"-13 of Fig. 12 and shows the direction of the flow of the fluid by arrows;

Fig. 14 is a section taken on the line 14-14 of Fig. 12, showing the limited portion of the web which is subjected to suction action; l

Figil is a section taken on the line 15-15 of Fig. 13 and shows the suction surface is very limited; the arrows diagrammatically showing the direction of the suction action; and

Fig. 16 isa section taken on the line 16-16 of Fig. 13' and is a longitudinal sectioniof the parts shown in `Fig. 15 and sho ls how the air is drawn thru the web.

T is cleaning device can be mounted tol the rame 1 of a paper machine in any con: venient osition and is adapted to clean the\ moving endless felt 2 which passes around the rollers` which are journaled not removed by the pressure nozzle downj These nozzles are wardly from said felt. comparatively short as compared to the width of the felt and thus when they are acting they do not materially resist the forward motion of the felt. They are moved slowly across the width of the felt so as to cleanse all portions of the same and are moved synchronously in relation to each other so that the nozzles both affect the same portion of the felt consecutively. The cleansing nozzles are mounted and are zguided by pipes jand 7. 6 being'the guide pipe for the pressure nozzle 4, and 7 being the guide pipe for the suction nozzle 5. These pipes are rigidly mounted between brackets Sfwhich are affixed to the side frame 1 0f the paper machine. The supporting pipes have slots.

t," and. 7 of substantially the same length as the Width of the felt. The nozzles 4 and 5 are made with narrowed lportions 4 and 5 and these portions 'ridevin the slots 6 and 7". The enlarged portions Il and 5" rest on the bottom of the fixed pipe, thus preventing the nozzle from beine'l removed during the cleansing operation and also tend to cause the nozzles to vrun smoothly across the felt.

A chain@ is fastened to the pressure nozzle 4 and is run thru the xed supporting ypipe 6, and is mounted over the sprockets 10. Thesei'sprockets are mounted on a 'shaft 11 -wh1ch us mounted in the frame 1. endless chain 12 is attached to the suctionv nozzle 5 and is mounted over sprockets 13 which are journaled on shafts 14 which are also journaled in frame 1. vlhafts 11 and 14 are connected by a chain 17 which meshes with the sprockets 15 on the shaft 11 and the sprocket 16 on the shaft 14.' These sprockets being both of the same sizeY will cause the sprockets 10 and 13 to rotate at the same rate, thus moving the nozzles at the same rate. A flexible air or steam hose 18 is connected to the pressure nozzle 4 and the hose 19 is connected to the pressure nozzle 5. These sections of hose are also run thru the supporting pipes 6 and. 7 and are run over guide sheaves 20 and areA always held taut by any suitable mechanism. Thus when the nozzles are moved towards the sheave 20 the weight on the hose tends 'to keep it always taut thuis preventing buck ling.

The chains and sprockets already de scribed move the noz es across the upper andunder face of the felt and automatic reversing mechanism reverses the movemenfv when the nozzles reach the edge of the felt This mechanism consists of two bevel p1n- "ions 21 and 22 which are loosely journaled on the shaft 11 but are held against sliding cn/ the shaft. These pinions are madewitn ratchet jaws 2l" and 22 respectively, which are unitary with the pinions and are posi-- tioued spaced apart. A doublefaced -ratchet 23 is keyed to theshaft 11 and i" mounted between.A these Itwo faces adapted to co-a with one or the other of the ratchet faces when it is moved vinto and out of operation. faced ratchet is slidable on the shaft but is keyed thereto.) A beveled pinion 24 mounted on the drive shaft is provided with a drive pulley 26 over which a belt can be mounted and which is adapted to turn the drive shaft. Thus when the drive'shaft is rotated bevel pinions 24 rotate the pinions'2l. and 22 in opposite directions. A shifter yoke 27 `fri ps the double faced ratchet and is adapted to throw the ratchet into co-action with either the ratchet face 21ai or the ratchet face 22a. This shifter yoke is pivotally connected to the extension 28 which is in turn fastened hto the frame 1. This shifter yoke is movable on its pivot in the base 28 and is moved'by the rod 29 which is connected to lthe bell crank 30.

The bell crank is valso connected to the `governor arm 31 thru the rod 32. Thus when the governor arm 31 is moved it: throws the double faced ratchet into and out of connection with either of the ratchet faces 21- and 22. The governor arm can he made with an a cuate slot 51 1n which '1s loosely mountel a eci/"eEiner weight The governor weight 33 is madev Tv 1n two piecesconnected hy the pin 33@ and' This double is adapted to slide loosely in the arcuate slot. The governor arm is valso connected tov thereversing rod, Se which has stops 35 andI 35 on the opposite ends of the travel off cleaning nozzles. These are adjustabieca the rod 84 and are attached by thefscrews 36 so ,that the length of travel of the noz zles can befadjusted by moving the stops in and out ori-thefrod 34. Coil springs 37 are provided'tofbe coiled aboutthe rod 34 to act as bumpers so that the extension link 3S which isfastened to the ,sprocket chain 12 will not strike the stop with a jar but will act thru the spring and thus eliminate any sudden reversing in movement. The reversingy rod is adapted to lie inthe channel section 39 which also forms a groove in which the lo/wer part of the sprocket chain 9 hears,

They operation of the governing ansm is as follows: The nozzle t, for eX- taff ample, is drawn in the guiding pipe 6 to fill and fro in the slot 6% It is necessary that when the nozzle reaches the edge ot the felt that it should be returned across the surface so-.as to have a continuous action on the felt and also to cover its entire width. The extension link 38 will strike either the stop or 35, depending onwhich way it is traveling. If it strikes either of the stops the extension link will strike' the spring bumper 37 and compress it until the action moves the reversingv rod 34. The reversing rod 34 will push the governing arm over to its Vopposite throw whichwill `be on the opposite side of the gravitational center and thus the governing arm will tend to remain in its new position.` The double faced ratchet will then be thrown into contact with the opposite ratchet face thru the mechanism prel` iously described, and thus will cause the slliaft 11 to rotate in the opposite direction which will cause the sprockets and chains also to reverse which will in turn cause the nozzles to move in the opposite direction. It can be seen that the action of both nozzles will be controlled by a. single governing mechanism andthus the nozzles will always tend to move in synchronism. In practice it may be desirable that the suction nozzle lag slightly behind the pressure nozzle so as toaclean the same strip because it cani be seen that because the pressure nozzle vis advanced slightly and moving transversely across the web it will strike one section of the web before the suction nozzle will if alined with each other.

The structure shown in Figs. 11 to 16 inclusive is a device embodying my invention. In this device the felt 2 rests 'against a vented roller 40 which is fitted closely aboutthe suction head 41 which is connected .to a source of suction thru the pipe 42. The suction head is mounted between two guide pipes 43, 44. The chain 45 which moves the suction head is contained within the `guide pipe 4:3. The iiexible' hose 46 which connects the suction head to the source of i partial vacuum is contained within the guide pipe 4.4. The vented roller 40. is adapted to rotate easily about the suction head 41. Thus as the moving web passes over it rotates the roller 40 and thus there is no trctional drag on the felt so as to wear it out. The suction is prevented from acting over a wide surface because this roller is fitted very closely about the bearing block 4f? 'and the opening is comparatively narrow. An thus the suction only acts on that portion of the traveling web wtich is in direct contact with the vented ro ..er.

'While the suction element 5 is shown in Fig. 2 as of short length, it may extend all the way across the elt if preferred; be-

-cause in my opinion, a partial vacuum is should have only-ar limited orifice and be moved across the lelt iu order to work on all sections thereoiE because it is a rather diliieultma! ter to maintain asuihcient head ot air to work eli'ectively if the pressure element 4 extends all the way across the tell'.

' I claim:

l. In a. lfelt cleaner ot' the character dcscribed` means for blowing fluid under pressure thru one side of the web and means for api'ilyingsuction to tlu` opposite side of the web. both said means moving to and fro in sii-nchronism with each other, crosswise ofthe path of the web.

2. In 'af :telt cleaner of thecharacter described, means for blowing fluid` under pressure thru one side of the web and means for applying suction to the opposite side of the web, both said means moving to and fro in synchronism with each other, crossivise of the path of the web, the suction means being arranged to follow the action of the blowing means.

In a felt cleaner of the character de-v scribed, a guideway located on each side of the path of the` web to be cleaned, a nozzle. sliding in each guideway, one nozzle being connected with a luid under pressure, and the other with a partial vacuum, and means for moving the nozzles, in synchro-` nisin with each other, to and fro across the path ofthe web. v

4. In a felt cleaner of the character described, a guideway located on each side of the path of the web to be cleaned, one guideway being arranged vin advance of the other relatively to the travel of the web, a nozzle sliding in each guideway, one nozzle being connected with a fluid under pressure, and the other with a partial vacuum, and means for moving the nozzles,

Ain synchronism with each other, to and fro across the path yof the web.

5. In a felt cleaner of the character described, a' tubular, longitudinally slitted guideway located on each side ofthe ath lof the web to be cleaned, a nozzle sli ing in the slit of each guideway, one nozzle be.-

ioo

ing connected with a fluid"under pressure,

and the other with a partial vacuum, and means for moving the nozzles, in synchronism witlrea'ch other, to and fro across the path of the web.

6. In 'a felt cleaner of the character de scribed, a O'uideway located on each side of the path o the web to be cleaned, a nozzle sliding in Veach guideway, a tlexible pipe connected with each' nozzle, a pulle on which such pipe rests, and means for ecping the pipe taut but adapted to ermit t e movement of the nozzle, one pipe ing connected with a uid under pressure and the other With a partial vacuum, and means for moving the nozzles, in synchronisin with eacll; other, to and fro across the path o the le 7. ln a `felt cleaner of the ncharacter described. a guideivay located. on each side of the path of the wel@ to be cleaned, a nozzle sliding in each guideway, 4a, ilexible pipe connected with each nozzle,' a pulley on which such pipe rests, and means for keeping the pipe taut, but adapted to permitl the movement of the nozzle, one pipe 'being connected with a fluid under pressure ani the other With a partial vacuum, sprockets and chains arranged cross-Wise of said path, each of said chains carrying one of said nozzles, means for' driving said sprocket chains, and automatic means for alternating the. direction of said drive.

Macnee .i 8. In a felt cleaner of the character described, a. guideway located on each side of -tlie path of the web to be cleaned, a nozzle sliding in each guideway, a flexible pipe connected with each nozzle, a pulley on which suoli pipe rests, and means for keeping the pipe taut, but adapted to permit the.

movement of the nozzle, one pipe beingr connected with a luid under pressure and the other with a lparial vacuum, ythe nozzle connected Wit-h the source of pressure lieing located in advance of the other nozzle relative to the travel or the wel), sprockets and chains arranged crees-wise of said path, each of said chains carryingy one of said nozzles, means for driving said sprocket chains,` and am matic means for alternating the direction of said drive 

